Phlebopteris
Extinct genus of ferns
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Phlebopteris is an extinct genus of Mesozoic fern belonging to the family Matoniaceae.[1][2]
| Phlebopteris Temporal range: | |
|---|---|
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| Fossils of Phlebopteris muensteri from the latest Triassic of Germany | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Division: | Polypodiophyta |
| Class: | Polypodiopsida |
| Order: | Gleicheniales |
| Family: | Matoniaceae |
| Genus: | †Phlebopteris Brongniart 1836 |
| Species | |
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Description and morphology
it is diagnosed by "pinna exhibiting short or long pinnules with decurrent or non-decurrent base; midrib often reaching the apex; secondary veins dichotomously branched, with or without forming a reticulate venation; circular sori lacking indusium; sori with five to six annulate sporangia annulus; trilete, subtriangular, tetrahedral or round spores."[1] Phlebopteris angustiloba and Phlebopteris muensteri are suggested to have grown as herbaceous plants rather than as tree ferns.[3]
The oldest fossil of the genus is known from the Ladinian of Italy.[2] The genus was almost globally distributed during the Jurassic, with a concentration of species in the northern hemisphere.[1] Species like Phlebopteris polypodioides, P. tracyi, and P. angustiloba are suggested to have grown in humid habitats as understory vegetation,[1][3] with Phlebopteris woodwardii suggested to have grown along riverbanks, as well as in heaths and peat swamps.[1]
